American Psychiatric Association

News about American Psychiatric Association, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

May. 21, 2013

Dr Richard A Friedman essay notes that latest version of American Psychiatric Association’s official manual of mental disorders, known as DSM-5, has been criticized for defining mental disorders based on symptoms rather than underlying causes; argues that complete understanding of mental illness is not necessary in order to treat it, and that manual, though flawed, gives clinicians common language to describe and treat disorders. MORE

May. 12, 2013

Op-Ed article by psychiatrist Sally Satel explores the seemingly endless discussion about fifth edition of American Psychiatric Assn's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; observes that critics of the manual often overlook fact that practicing psychiatrists give little attention to manual. MORE

Dec. 11, 2012

American Psychiatric Association's board has approved fifth edition of association's diagnostic manual, following five years of acrimony and tense compromise; some psychiatrists have opposed many of the changes, which seek to alter how mental disorders are conceived. MORE

May. 9, 2012

Doctors on a panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Assn revising the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, in a rare step, retreat from two controversial proposals that would have expanded the number of people identified as having psychotic or depressive disorders. MORE

Jan. 30, 2012

Author and psychotherapist Gary Greenberg Op-Ed article expresses sympathy for the American Psychiatric Association, which has drawn criticism because of proposed revisions for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; argues that the association faces an essentially impossible task, given the nature of psychoanalysis. MORE

Jan. 25, 2012

Report issued by psychiatric researchers at Columbia and New York Universities argues that a proposed change to the definition of depression would characterize grieving as a disorder and could greatly increase the number of people who are treated unnecessarily for depression; the change has been proposed for the American Psychiatric Association's fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. MORE

Will it be helpful for health professionals using the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -- most of them not psychiatrists, but primary care doctors -- to begin diagnosing mild neurocognitive disorder?